Sheet metal container



J. E. FITZGERALD SHEET METAL CONTAINER Filed Aug- 19, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 6, 1931.

n .1. E. FITZGERALD SHEET METAL CONTAINER Filed Aug. 19' 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 STATES PATENroFIc JAMES E. FITZGERALD, OF YOU-NGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NILES STEEL PROD- I UCTS COMIANY, OF NILES, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO SHEET METAL CONTAINER f Application led August 19, 1926. Serial No. 130,215.

ltainer is of the type wherein the head is se- .cured by means of a sealing ring which is adapted to be secured in place by crimping inwardly -at intervals a continuous flange of the ring, the latter having its ends secured together by spot welding or otherwise so that they can be separated or broken apart and permit the ring to be stripped olf the container head. l

The invention may be briefly summarized as consisting in certa-in novel features of construction and steps of the improved method which will be described in the specification and set forthin the appended claims.

In vthe accompanying sheets of the drawings wherein I have illustrated the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 is aside view of the container. Fig.2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the ends of.

the sealing ring overlap and are fastened in a manner such that the ring can be separated at this point. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the top portion of the container and illustrating a closing tool which may be utilized in fastening the head of the container. Fig. 4`is a perspective view of a portion of the upper part of the container. Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detail sectional yview showing how the top of the container body, the head and the sealing ring are arranged'prior to the closing operation, Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig.v 4

after the head is secured in place-by'crimping inwardly at intervals the continuous ange'of the sealing ring. Fig. 7 is a similar view substantially along the lines 7 -7 of Fig. 4, showing the action of one of the jaws of the closing tool.

The bodyportion 10 of the container is preferably provided nearthe top with an outstanding annular rib 12, the outside diameter of which is preferably slightly greater than the diameter of the body 10, and above the rib 12 being tapered inwardly so as to forn a reduced neck portion, and at the eXtreme ytop being provided with a rolled bead 13 the outthe bead 13 and over a suitable gasket 16 which is adapted to be tightly compressed in the closing operation between the flange 15 and the bead 13.

- The head 14 is secured in place by means of a sealing ring 17 provided with an inwardly extending flange 18 which is adapted'to overlie the flange 15 of the head and with a downwardly eXLending liange 19 which, when the sealing ring and head are pressed downward in the sealingl operation, extends down some distance below the bead 13. The sealing ring 17 is continuous, the ends being fastened together in a manner such as to form a normally secure but severable joint, and this is preferably done by overlapping the ends as indicated at 2O and spot welding them together or otherwise fastening them together.

' It is a feature of the present invention, that, in the closing operation after the head and sealing ring are pressed downward tightly compressing the gasket, the continuous outer flange 19 of the sealing'ring is crimped inat at substantially right angles to the reducedv neck portion of the body 10 immediately be-` neath the bead thus adding greatly to the strength of the top portion of the pail. This leaves Abetween the inwardly crimped or bent portions 21 uncrimped portions 22 which 1n the crimping operation are drawn inwardly somewhat toward or against the reduced neck of the body 10, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and are curved or bowed, thus reinforcing the sealing ring and adding to the holding action of the crimped portions as there is formed the equlvalentof curved trusses joining the crimped portions. l

'The crimping operation 1s preferably a c complished by a closing tool lllustrated 1n Figs. 3 and 7, this closing tool lncluding an annular plate 23 which engages the flat deare levers 24 having at their lower ends short closing jaws 25, the upper ends of the levers bei-ng connected by adjustable links 26'to a sleeve 27 slidable upon a vertical guide 28 projecting up from the center of the plate, the sleeve having a suitable handle 29 adapted to be grasped bythe'operator. The lower part of the guide 28 may be surrounded by a spring 30 to cushion the downward stroke of l the sleeve and to elevate it after the closing stroke. l

In operation, the closing tool is placed down on the head and sealing ring after the latter are properly positioned at the top of the container, and then with one downward stroke the aws 25 are simultaneously moved inward, thehead and sealing ring being at the same time pressed downward so as to compress .the gasket, as previously explained. By this operation uniformly spaced portions of the continuous flange of the sealing ring are bent inwardly at intervalsv and brought up tightly against the under side of the bead, this operation leaving, as previously explained, the intervening'uncrimped portions which are, however, drawn or curved inwardly, as explained.

In this manner the head is fastened in place very securely and a very strong construction isl provided at the top of the containerdue in a large measure to the form of the sealing ring and to the fact that .the sealing ring has a continuous flange which is crimped at intervals only, leaving the downwardly extending but inwardly curved uncrimped portions which are protected a ainst catching on an vobject and being pulled ownwardly not only by reason of the outstanding rib 15 but because the edges or marginal portions thereof are curved inwardly toward the container body, the curving or bowing serving also to strengthen the construction of the closed pail and to add to the 'holding action of the crimped portions as explained above.

To remove the head it is only necessary to j insert a suitable tool beneath the sealing ring where the joint 20-occurs and pry the ends apart. To facilitate this operation, the flange of the ring may be provided adjacent the joint with a short, upstanding pocket 20a to receive the end of the tool. When the joint has been loosened, the ring can be readily stripped olf. 'Y

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is:

. 1. A containerl comprisinga body having va bead at the top, a head having a portion extending over the bead, and a sealing ring aeeaeoe and having a marginal flange projecting over` the shoulder, and a sealing ring'for securely fastening and sealing the cover having ay flange projecting inwardly over the flange of the head, and having a continuous downwardly projecting fiange benty inwardly at intervals at .substantially right angles to said flange beneath the shoulder leaving intervening uncrimped portions.

3. A container having a bead at the top, a head fitted to the container and having an outwardly extending marginal flange projecting over said bead, and a sealing ring for securely fastening and sealing the head having a flange projecting inwardly over the flange of the head, and having a continuous downwardly projecting flange having portions bent inwardly at intervals at substantially a right angle to said downwardly projecting flange beneath the bead leaving intervening uncrimped portions having curved connections with the inwardly bent portions.

4. A sheet metal container comprising' a body having a closed hollow bead at the top, closing and sealing means therefor including a cover extending over said bead, and including a continuous downwardly extending Harige surrounding the bead and crimped inwardly at intervals against the underside of the bead, leaving intervening uncrimped por-` tions. l j 5. A sheet metal container comprising a body' having a closed hollow bead at the top,

closing and sealing means therefor including a cover extending over said bead, and including a continuous 'downwardly' projecting ange having portions bent, inwardly at intervals at substantially a right angle to Said downwardly projecting flange against the underside of the bead, leaving intervening uncrimped portions. j

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiix my signature. n

JAMES E. FITZGERALD.

for securely fastening and sealing the cover having a flange extending inwardly over said portion of the head and having a continuous v 

